KIWIKIDS

More than 600 children in New Zealand are in urgent need of basic necessities, 350 of those are in Auckland. The KiwiKids sponsorship programme helps kids in low income earning families, but the waiting list has reached a record level with three times as many children on the list this year. The charity is in desperate need for sponsors in Auckland, where low-income working parents are battling high rents, school costs and rising transport fees. KiwiKids said rising housing costs are placing increased stress on families and children. Many of the families the charity supports are putting more than 50 per cent of their income towards rent, meaning less money for basic items such as food and clothing.